Terry, I was soooo relieved in a way to read your post. I too have problems with weird "existential" type questions when I get anxious. I also have obsessive thoughts/fears like "what if I can't handle it", "what if I hurt myself to make it stop", etc. Neil described it perfectly as a "negative debating society"! The minute I feel anxious ALL my thoughts and observations turn negative, even though in the lulls where I am not anxious I do not think like this AT ALL! I wrote index cards to myself when I was feeling well stating positive thoughts like "Rachele you don't think this when you are not anxious", "Rachele it will not escalate if you don't give in to the thoughts". I also repeat these things to myself, just reminding myself that these are ONLY THOUGHTS, that it will pass. Sometimes it is very, very difficult but I keep at it till I get calmed down. I hope you feel better throughout the day, and that you can enjoy some of the weekend. Rachele
